Nomenklatura
The term
Nomenklatura was used in the
Soviet Union for members of the
Communist Party who enjoy special privileges such as shopping at well-stocked stores. The same term was used in Poland for the members of the former Communist Party
(
Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza - Polish United Workers' Party)
PZPR. This privileged class gained various profits solely from being in the party.
Milovan Djilas wrote of the nomenklatura as the New Class.
After the fall of the Communist regime most of the nomenklatura were able to
secure lucrative positions in the industry or buy out some property at ridiculously low cost.
QUESTION: What is the literal meaning of the word "nomenklatura"?